Laurie E Ohall
Tampa Estate Planning & Probate Attorney | Florida Elder Law & Bankruptcy Lawyer
We Strive to Honor, Educate and Protect Tampa Elders
We work with elderly people and their children who are looking for assistance with various issues including:
Estate Planning
We have the experience to handle all aspects of estate planning, including those issues dealing with clients coming from out-of-state and wishing to establish Florida as their residence. We will work with you to accomplish your goals and help you implement strategies which will enable you to transfer assets to your chosen beneficiaries, minimize gift and estate tax consequences, and reduce estate administration expenses. Our services include:
* Wills and living trusts;
* Durable Powers of Attorney and advanced directives;
* Irrevocable life insurance trusts;
* Personal residence trusts and other grantor retained interest trusts;
* Special needs trusts;
* Premarital and post-marital agreements; and
* Business and Succession Planning.
Elder law
Legal issues facing the elderly are often complex and interrelated. Therefore, an Elder law attorney must be familiar with the ever-changing laws related to Medicaid and Medicare which affect the senior population. An Elder law attorney should have an understanding of the elderly that allows the attorney and her staff to recognize and empathize with the issues that often accompany the aging process. As an Elder law attorney, Laurie E. Ohall works closely with social workers, geriatric caregivers, and other providers, to help meet the needs of the individual. Elder Law includes, but is not limited to, issues such as:
* Medicaid claims and appeals for denial of benefits
* Preservation or transfer of assets seeking to avoid spousal impoverishment when one spouse enters a nursing home
* Estate planning and Tax planning
* Long term care placement issues
* Long term healthcare issues
* Guardianship issues
* Other issues which are more personal to the Elder, such as worries about paying for assisted living or nursing homes, parents who are getting too forgetful and cannot pay their bills, worries about whether someone is stealing money or property from the individual, etc.
It is important to note that there have been major changes to the Medicaid laws. On February 8, 2006, President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act, significantly changing Medicaid rules concerning the transfer or gifting of assets, changing the look back period from three years to five years, limiting the value of an individual’s homestead and restricting the use of annuities, among other changes. The rules became effective in Florida on November 1, 2007, and are being applied prospectively.
Probate Administration
Probate is a proceeding required by Florida law upon the death of an individual who dies owning any assets. This is the court's way of gathering the assets of the decedent, paying the debts and taxes, and passing title to the decedent's beneficiaries.
Many people think that, if they have a Will, their assets do not have to go through probate. However, that is not the case. If assets are titled solely in an individual’s name, in many cases, the assets will have to go through probate, regardless of whether a person has a Will. A Will simply tells the Court who you want to have your assets and who you want to administer your estate.
Laurie Ohall handle all aspects of the administration of decedent’s estate including:
* Notifying and satisfying the decedent’s creditors;
* Implementing procedures to avoid and limit a will contest or other litigation;
* Protecting the assets of the estate;
* Evaluating issues concerning exempt property, family allowance, and elective share benefits;
* Evaluating and discussing opportunities to minimize estate taxes;
* Distributing assets; and
* Preparing the final accounting of the personal representative, and obtaining receipts and releases so he/she is discharged and not later sued.
Probate & Guardianships
If a minor or adult family member is unable to manage their own affairs, we can assist in a plenary guardianship over the person and property. We represent family members of minors who receive settlements over $15,000 and the relatives of adults who have been adjudicated incompetent. We assist in all aspects of the guardianship process, including:
* Hearings to determine competency;
* Emergency hearings for temporary guardianship;
* Preparation and filing of annual reports and accountings;
* Preparation of trusts for family members with special needs;
* Guardianships for minors who are beneficiaries of settlements.
Law Offices of Laurie E Ohall PA
9350 Bay Plaza Blvd #120-04
Tampa FL 33619-4486
Tel: 813 514-8180
Fax: 813 514-8181
E-mail: lohall@ohalllaw.com
Areas of Practice
* Bankruptcy Law
* Estate Planning
* Elder Law
* Probate & Estate Administration
* Trusts
* Wills
* Family Law
* Guardianship
* Medicaid Planning
The Law Offices of Laurie E. Ohall, P.A., represents clients throughout the Central Gulf Coast of Florida, including the following cities: Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Gibsonton, Thonotosassa, Valrico, Plant City, Apollo Beach, Seffner, Bloomingdale, Sun City Center, Ruskin, Wimauma, Lutz and Temple Terrace.
Votes:40
Comments: 0